About Us

​Getting there

For information on bus, ferry and train services in Auckland City, visit the Auckland Transport website or telephone them on (09) 366 6400.

Parking At The Aotea Centre

The easiest and closest parking is directly underneath the Aotea Centre at The Civic Car Park, however this does fill up quickly over the Festival weekend. Please allow extra time to find parking to avoid missing the starts of the sessions.

Other near-by car parks can be found at the Crowne Plaza (128 Albert Street), adjacent to the Grand Millenium Hotel (corner of Mayoral Drive and Vincent Street), and Tournament Car Park (Greys Avenue at Mayoral Drive).

Information Desk

The Festival Information Desk is located in the Level 2 foyer of the Aotea Centre (outside the stalls entrance to the ASB Theatre). Lost Property, information on programme and/or venue changes and other general information is available here.

Seating

Ticketed events: All seating for ticketed events is General Admission. AWF Friends and Patrons have reserved seats at the front of each venue (or venue level depending upon ticket).

Free Events: It will be first come, first served – it is not possible to reserve seats either in advance or on the day. Please be advised that queues start to form as early as 45 minutes prior to a Free Event session start time.

Programme Changes and Updates

Please visit our website regularly, follow us on social media or subscribe to our email newsletter for regular updates and news. Sign up here.

Festival Bookshop

The Festival has its own dedicated bookshops at the Aotea Centre (outside the ASB Theatre, Lower NZI Room, Aotea Square). Run jointly by the owners of Auckland’s popular Women’s Bookshop and Unity Books, audience members will be able to purchase books by authors appearing in the Festival. The Festival Bookshop accepts Eftpos, Cash and Credit Cards.

Book Signing

Book signing takes place immediately following each event. Festival attendees may bring their own copy of a book for the author to sign, or purchase one on the day from the Festival Bookshop.

What can I take into the sessions?

You can take drinks into the ASB Theatre, Lower NZI Room and the Upper NZI Room at the Aotea Centre during the events – but no glass items are allowed. Photographs are permitted at Festival events unless indicated otherwise.

Patrons’ Lounge

Exclusive to our Patrons, this lounge is situated in the Blues Bar at the Aotea Centre, overlooking the square. This is the perfect place to relax and read or meet participating writers and other members between Festival sessions. We provide complimentary wine, coffee and newspapers. If you would find out more about membership visit our Become a Patron page.

Filming

The Festival will be filming and recording each session for archival and publicity purposes. Some of these sessions may be broadcast on public radio and television. It is possible that audience members’ images will be included from time to time in the filming. Should you not wish to be filmed, please advise the usher.